Sociology [SOCL] - McNeese

Sociology [SOCL]

Cycles included in this report:Jun 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019

This PDF document includes any files attached to fields in this report.

To view the attachments you should view this file in Adobe Acrobat XI or higher, or another PDF viewer that supports viewing file attachments.

The default PDF viewer for your device or web browser may not support viewing file attachments embedded in a PDF.

If the attachments are in formats other than PDF you will need any necessary file viewers installed.

Xitracs Program Report Page 2 of 14

Program Name: Sociology [SOCL]

Reporting Cycle: Jun 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019

1 Is this program offered via Distance Learning?

100% Traditional or less than 50% Distance/Traditional

2 Is this program offered at an off-site location?

No

2.1 If yes to previous, provide addresses for each location where 50% or more of program credits may be earned.

There are no additional addresses.

3 Example of Program Improvement

2016-2017:The B.A. in Sociology offers concentrations in general sociology or family and child studies. An increasing pool of highly qualified visiting lectures have been developed to assist regular faculty in offering a broad range of required and elective major courses. 2017-2018:In an effort to improve the Sociology B.A. degree program within the Department of Social Sciences, a number of departmental Sociology professors met with IRE to improve the assessment items within this academic plan. By moving in this direction, the quality of our assessments and student learning outcomes have been enhanced. 2018-2019:There have been efforts to enhance the collected data for this report. SOCL211 faculty developed a pre/post test. It was tested as a post test in the spring of 2019. It is to be implemented as a pre/post test in the fall of 2019. Additionally, SOCL211 faculty are developing a comprehensive departmental final for SOCL211. It is anticipated that in 2019-2020 a pre/post test will be developed for SOCL411. This may be more revealing than the current assessment that indicated a drop in scores that may have multiple explanations. SOCL320 scores increased from only 69.53% earning 32 or more points out of a possible 40 points to 81.91% in the spring of 2019.

4 Program Highlights from the Reporting Year

2016-2017:Students continue to meet benchmarks. New program coordinator appointed for Family and Child Studies. 2017-2018:Program Coordinator for Family and Child Studies resigned around midterm of the spring 2018 semester. Temporarily, a faculty member became Family and Child Studies Coordinator. All of the resigning teacher's classes were covered by adjuncts and a faculty member. His vacant position replacement started in the fall of 2018. The Sociology Program has continued to have a large number of students. The students are served by dedicated adjunct and full time faculty. 2018-2019:A new coordinator was appointed for the Family and Child Studies Program beginning the fall of 2018. Both Sociology programs have continued to be programs with a large number of majors. During the spring of 2019, the Family and Child Studies program's name was updated to the Family Science program.

5 Program Mission

The purposes of the Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology are:Students will broaden their knowledge and increase their understanding of humankind’s past and present social endeavors through an academic understanding of various societies, cultures, social theories, and social philosophies.


Students will be provided with a solid liberal arts background and program of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology which prepares them for careers and graduate-level study in sociology and related areas. All students will be required to receive instruction in statistics, languages, theory, and various human/social sciences.To offer students the opportunity to obtain a minor in sociology and/or acquaint themselves with sociology. The department offers a minor in sociology to all students.To serve the University, the academic community, and Southwest Louisiana through teaching, research, community service and University service. Faculty are encouraged to engage in research and publication.

6 Institutional Mission Reference

This degree supports the University’s fundamental mission to offer baccalaureate curricula in service to the residents and employers of the SWLA region and beyond. It provides opportunities for student internships in local industry and prepares students to become effective in academic and professional environments.

7 SOCL 201 Pre-test & Post-test [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 201 pre-test & post-test scores. Benchmark: 60% of students will correctly answer three of the five questions.

Outcome Links

Theories of Sociology [Program]Students will demonstrate a knowledge of theories of sociology.

7.1 [Approved]Data

Term# of students that

completed apre- and post-test

Students that metthe benchmark

# %

Fall 2017 252 174 69.0%

Spring 2018 202 129 63.8%

Fall 2018 233 160 68.7%

Spring 2019 143 82 57.0%

7.1.1 Analysis of Data and Plan for Continuous Improvement

2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 201 (pre-test/post-test). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ knowledge of theories of sociology. An analysis of the pre-test/post-test scores will be conducted to help us assess where improvements can be made in this student learning outcome. 2017-2018:The current benchmark was met during the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters. During the fall of 2017, 69% of the students met the benchmark. In the spring of 2018, 63.8% of the students met this benchmark. In this particular vein, there was a lower percent meeting the benchmark in the spring 2018 semester. The plan for continuous improvement includes a process which will entail gathering some additional data for the SOCL 201 classes. By moving in this direction, it is anticipated that the future benchmark could be elevated to a higher percent of students (70%) meeting the benchmark number of answering three out of five questions on the pre-test/post-test assessment. 2018-2019:The benchmark was once again met for the fall of 2018. There was a higher percent meeting the benchmark for the fall of 2018 than for the spring of 2019. The benchmark was not met


for the spring of 2019. Initially, this seems to be a setback. However, a closer scrutiny of the data indicated that the pretest scores for the spring was exceedingly low. The average score for the spring 2019 pretest was only 1.86 out of a possible five. The pretest average for the fall of 2018 was 2.63. The spring 2019 students appear to have entered the class with far less knowledge than the fall 2018 students. The fall 2018 students increased their post-test scores to an average of 3.23 (an increase of 27.81%). The spring 2019 students increased their average post-test scores to 2.65 (an increase of 42.47%). The current plan for improvement includes continuing to use this assessment. There will also be an effort to explore if this difference in pretest from one semester to the next is an anomaly.

8 SOCL 211 Simulated Social Problem V [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 211 Simulated Social Problem V scores for sociology majors. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish a benchmark for this new SOCL 211 assessment.

Course Links

SOCL211 [Social Problems (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links

Social Problems [Program]Students will draw connections between social stratification systems & social problems/life outcomes.

8.1 Data

Course Links



2018-2019:The pre/post test was developed. It was first used as a post test only in spring 2019. There were 32 students who took this post test. The average score was 3.86 out of a possible five points. This is meaningless. There is no pretest for comparison. It is to be implemented as a pre/post test in fall 2019. This data hopefully, will be useful in improving and/or evaluating the SOCL211students' learning experience. The benchmark is that 60% or the students will correctly answer three of five questions on the post test.

Course Links


9 SOCL 211 Final Exam [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 211 Final Exam grades for sociology majors. Benchmark: Students will earn an average score of 70%.

Course Links


Outcome Links


9.1 [Approved]Data

2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year.


2017-2018:According to Greg Clark, 90% of the students made an "A" or "B" on their final exam in SOCL 211. This has surpassed any reasonable benchmark. The department does not have a departmental final for SOCL 211. Collecting data on the grade for the final exam is not an accurate measure considering there are different teachers and different finals. Based on this information this assessment will be discontinued. 2018-2019:A comprehensive departmental final for SOCL211 is being developed. The current plan is to begin using it during fall 2019. The benchmark is the average grade will be at least 70%. The final will be used to explore possible strengths and weaknesses in SOCL211.

Academic YearStudents scoring 70% or

higher

# %

2019-2020

Course Links



2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. Based upon an analysis of the data collected from the final exam in SOCL 211, strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ ability to draw connections between social stratification systems and social problems/life outcomes. An analysis of the final exam scores will be conducted to help us assess where improvements can be made in this student learning outcome. 2017-2018:Data tracking began this 2017-2018 academic year. Based upon the examination of SOCL 211 class data, approximately 30% of students earn a grade of "A" on their final exam, 60% earned a grade of "B", and 10% received a grade of "C" or "D". With the reporting of the aforementioned grades, the plan for continuous improvement includes the decision to discontinue this assessment. 2018-2019:A comprehensive departmental final will be a new assessment for SOCL211. Currently, a department comprehensive final for SOCL211 is being developed. There are some difficulties to overcome. One faculty member covers 14 chapters; the other faculty member covers about seven chapters. It is anticipated that this final will be used in fall 2019. The anticipated benchmark is an average grade of 70%. It is anticipated that this measure will be used to improve the SOCL211 classes.

Course Links


10 SOCL 311 Pre-test & Post-test [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 311 pre-test/post-test grades for sociology majors. A benchmark will be determined after more data is collected and analyzed.

Course Links

SOCL311 [The Family (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links



10.1 Data

Term# of students that

completed apre- and post-test

Average Score

Pre-test Post-test

Spring 2018 72 60.63 69.67

Spring 2019 34 59.4 69.4

Course Links


10.1.1 [Approved]Analysis of Data and Plan for Continuous Improvement

2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 311 (pre-test/post-test). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ knowledge of theories of sociology. An analysis of the pre-test/post-test scores will be conducted to help us assess where improvements can be made in this student learning outcome. 2017-2018:The current trend is in the desired direction. For instance, an evaluation of the data indicates that there was an increase of nine out of a possible 100 points on the post-test. With that being said, the plan for continuous improvement includes an additional year of monitoring and continued observation. Based upon the results of future assessments, a benchmark for this assessment will be established. 2018-2019:Once again there was considerable improvement from the pretest (average 59.4) to the post-test (average 69.4) for spring 2019. This is an improvement of 16.83%. There was very little change from one academic year to the next. The current plan is to redesign the classes with more emphases on theory. The benchmark will be an average of 70% on the post-test.

Course Links


11 SOCL 320 Writing Assignment [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 320 writing assignment grades for sociology majors. Benchmark: 72% of students will earn at least 32 of the possible 40 points.Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).

QEP ASSESSMENT SOCL 320 Fall 2017 (Carol Campbell) SOCL320 Rubric

Course Links

SOCL320 [Social Research Methods (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links

Communication [Program]Graduates formulate and express ideas effectively through oral, written, and/or technological communications in academic and professional environments.

11.1 Data

# of Points earned


Term students 36-40 32-35 28-31 24-27 <24

Fall 2017 23# % # % # % # % # %

10 43.48% 6 26.09% 5 21.74% 1 0.04% 1 0.04%

TermStudents that scored

at least 32 points

# %

Fall 2017 16/23 69.53%

Spring 2018 — —

Fall 2018 — —

Spring 2019 27/33 81.81%

Course Links


11.1.1 [Approved]Analysis of Data and Plan for Continuous Improvement

2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 320 (writing assignment). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ ability to formulate and to express ideas effectively through oral, written, and/or technological communications in academic and professional environments. 2017-2018:The benchmark was almost met; there were 69.6% of the students reaching this benchmark. Based upon an analysis of reported data, the plan for continuous improvement involves monitoring the data for at least another year. This tracking of the data may lead to a refinement of this benchmark number and/or the rubric used to assess this assignment. 2018-2019:The benchmark was not only met; it was surpassed by almost 10%. This was the first time the benchmark has been met in SOCL320. It appears that the faculty may have improved the learning experience for this class. The current assessment and benchmark will be utilized for 2019-2020. This will be used to evaluate the stability and even continued improvement of the students who attend this class in the future.

Course Links


12 SOCL 411 Final Paper [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 411 final paper grades for sociology majors. Benchmark: Students will earn, on average, 30 of the 40 possible points (75%).Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).

How Your Assignments Will Be Graded (2019)(1) SOCL411 Rubric

Course Links

SOCL411 [Sociological Theory (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links



12.1 Data

Term # of students Average Score

Fall 2017 33 29.5

Fall 2018 51 28.3

Spring 2019 35 23.0

Course Links



2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 411 (final paper). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ knowledge of theories of sociology. 2017-2018:The average score for these students was 29.15 points. Based upon the current benchmark being earning 30 of the possible 40 points, this benchmark was almost reached. Based upon an analysis of reported data, the plan for continuous improvement involves monitoring the data for at least another year. This tracking of the data may lead to a refinement of this benchmark number and/or the rubric used to assess this assignment. 2018-2019:The benchmark was almost met in fall 2018 when the average was 28.33 with a benchmark of 30. However, the average score was only 23.03 for spring 2019. This does not necessarily mean that the students learned less. These students could have entered the class with less background knowledge than the prior semester's students. Additionally, consultation with SOCL411 faculty revealed that the final paper had been modified to a higher standard. This data will continue to be tracked using the more rigorous standard. Also, the plan is to begin using a pre-post test during 2019-2020. This measurement should assist in identifying teaching and learning problems that faculty can then take into account by modifying the course.

Course Links


13 SOCL 413 American Dream Assignment [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 413 American Dream assignment grades for sociology majors. Benchmark: Students will earn, on average, 30 of the 40 possible points. Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).


Course Links

SOCL413 [Social Stratification (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links


13.1 Data

Academic Year # of students Average score


2017-2018 121 33.35

2018-2019 121 37.06

Course Links



2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 413 (American Dream Assignment). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ ability to draw connections between social stratification systems and social problems/life outcomes. 2017-2018:The 121 students earned on average 33.35 of the possible 40 points. The benchmark was met. Based upon an analysis of reported data, the plan for continuous improvement will include the monitoring of the data for at least another year. This tracking of the data may lead to a refinement of this benchmark number and/or the rubric used to assess this assignment. 2018-2019:The benchmark was met for the second consecutive academic year. There appears to be continued improvement based on the average grades for this assessment. This indicates that course modifications and pedagogy are beneficial to the students. Continued improvement is expected as the course is improved and developed. The use of this assessment is continuing for the next year. The benchmark will likely be increased for 2020-2021 if this pattern continues. The new benchmark for 2020-2021 may be an average of 33 points out of 40.

Course Links


14 SOCL 413 Writing Assignment [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOCL 413 writing assignment-comparative social stratification in three countries. Benchmark: Students will earn, on average, 30 of the 40 possible points.Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).


Course Links


Outcome Links


14.1 Data

Academic Year # of students Average Score

2017-2018 121 31.77

2018-2019 74 34.53


Course Links



2016-2017:This is a new assessment. Data tracking will begin next year. A scoring rubric will be utilized to establish the benchmark for this new assessment in SOCL 413 (writing assignment). Strengths and weaknesses will be identified, and strategic decisions will be made as to what steps need to be taken to enhance the students’ ability to formulate and to express ideas effectively through oral, written, and/or technological communications in academic and professional environments. 2017-2018:The students earned an average of 31.77 of the possible 40 points. The current benchmark was met. As a result of this finding, our plan for continuous improvement includes the step to monitor this assessment item for at least another year. Based upon the 2018-2019 data, a new benchmark and/or rubric may be developed. 2018-2019:The students earned an average of 34.53 out of 40 possible points. The benchmark was met. There has been improvement in the average scores from the academic year of 2017-2018 to 2018-2019. This is for only the second consecutive year. Data will be gathered and analyzed for 2019-2020. This will be used to find if there is still continued improvement as the course develops. In 2020-2021 the benchmark may be raised to an average of 33 out of a possible 40 points.

Course Links


15 SOSC 499 Capstone AssignmentAssessment and Benchmark

Assessment: SOSC 499 research paper prospectus grades for sociology majors. Benchmark: 100% of students will successfully (earn a B or better) develop a prospectus for future research as their capstone assignment in SOSC 499.Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).

GRADING RUBRIC FOR SOSC 499

Course Links

SOSC499 [Senior Research Seminar Capstone Experience (Lec. 3, Cr. 3)]

Outcome Links

Critical Thinking [Program]Students develop critical thinking skills.

15.1 Data

Academic Year

Students that earneda B or higher

# %

2013-2014 N/A 91%

2014-2015 N/A 80%

TermStudents that earned

a B or higher

# %

Fall 2015 43 98%


Spring 2016 26 98%

Fall 2016 11 100%

Spring 2017 11 100%

Fall 2017 21 95%

Spring 2018 29 97% Traditional Program:


a B or higher Benchmark met?

# %

Fall 2016 4 100% Yes

Spring 2017 4 100% Yes

Fall 2017 N/A N/A N/A

Spring 2018 N/A N/A N/A

Fall 2018 1/2 50% No

Spring 2019 4/4 100% Yes Online Program:



# %

Fall 2016 7 100% Yes

Spring 2017 7 100% Yes

Fall 2017 N/A N/A N/A

Spring 2018 N/A N/A N/A

Fall 2018 2/3 67% No

Spring 2019 2/2 100% Yes

Course Links



2016-2017:Current benchmark met. Based upon the results of this student learning outcome, we have decided to take a step to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the students’ work on this capstone assignment. A rubric will be developed to help us assess where improvements can be made in this student learning outcome. 2017-2018:The current benchmark was virtually met. The current plan is to begin using a recently developed rubric. It is anticipated that this said rubric will reveal where new student learning outcomes can be developed and utilized. 2018-2019:The benchmark has been consistently met by sociology majors for every semester except for the fall of 2018 since the fall of 2016. During the fall of 2018 both traditional students and online students experienced a drop in students earning a "B" or higher. Only one (50%) traditional student and only two (67%) online students earned a "B" or "A". During the spring of 2019, it returned to both groups having 100% earned a"B" or greater. Perhaps this is a cohort of students with a weaker background. It is possible that there was some change in


the class structure or pedagogy. This faculty member has retired. They have not been asked to give feedback. The anticipated plan is to continue use of this measure and to analyze the future students who will be taught by a different faculty member. The benchmark will remain at 100% for 2019-2020.

Course Links


16 SOSC 499 Research Paper [Approved]Assessment and Benchmark

Assessment: Students will demonstrate effective writing skills in SOSC 499 by completing a research paper prospectus in their major. Benchmark: 85% of the students will earn a "B" or higher on their SOCL 499 research paper.Files: See list of attachments to view. (Requires Adobe Reader or compatible viewer).

GRADING RUBRIC FOR SOSC 499

Course Links


Outcome Links


16.1 Data

Term

Students that earneda B or higher

%% in fall

and spring

Fall 2015 100% 100%

Spring 2016 100% 100%

Fall 2017 100% 100%

Spring 2018 100% 100% Traditional Program:



# %

Fall 2018 9/10 90% Yes

Spring 2019 13/13 100% Yes Online Program:



# %

Fall 2018 12/14 85.7% Yes

Spring 2019 10/11 91% Yes

Course Links




2016-2017:Benchmark was met. Based upon the results of this student learning outcome, we have decided to take a step to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the students’ work on this capstone assignment. A rubric will be developed to help us assess where improvements can be made in this student learning outcome. 2017-2018:The benchmark was met once again. This has resulted in the development of a new rubric. The rubric will be used to assist in developing improved student learning outcomes. 2018-2019:This data includes all of the students taking SOSC499, not just sociology majors. The benchmark of at least 85% of the students making a "B" or higher was once again met by both online and traditional student. This benchmark has been consistently met every semester since the fall of 2015. The former instructor for this class has retired. The current plan is to continue with the same benchmark and assessment with the new instructor for 2019-2020. This data may guide the new instructor in modifying the class to improve outcomes.

Course Links



End of report

Navigate Your Future Writing Rubric Content

Indicator Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Not Demonstrated Grasp of subject matter 4 3 2 1 0

Applies key concepts and terminology appropriate to discipline 4 3 2 1 0 Supported with effective and appropriate examples, research, or evidence 4 3 2 1 0 Content Subtotal (12) Audience/Style

Indicator Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Not Demonstrated Reflects keen awareness of intended audience/purpose 4 3 2 1 0

Format highly appropriate to purpose and disciplinary conventions 4 3 2 1 0 Succinct and easy to understand 4 3 2 1 0 Audience/Style Subtotal (12) Structure/Mechanics

Indicator Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Not Demonstrated Applies standard grammar and mechanics 4 3 2 1 0 Develops effective sentence structure 4 3 2 1 0 Consistently applies organizational structure 4 3 2 1 0 Reflects careful proofreading and editing 4 3 2 1 0 Structure/Mechanics Subtotal (16)

Total (40)

Comments:







Total (40)

Comments:







Total (40)

Comments:

Documents

Sociology [SOCL] - McNeese